The Biblical Path of Life

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  • The Mystery of All Times

    “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.”
    I Timothy 3:16

    At some point in one’s life, a person become cognizant that there is something off – that they may be a good person, but that it isn’t enough in the grand scheme of things. They begin to recognize sin. Sin means “missing the true goal and scope of life; offense in relation to God with the emphasis on the resulting guilt. See Romans 3:23.” The realization of sin (and the conviction that follows) may come through a dream, a crisis in one’s life, a “light-bulb” moment (a time when something you heard before is suddenly understood), a conversation, a world-event, a simple call (that recognition of personal sin) during a reading of God’s Word, or many other instances. Keep in mind that at this point, reason may try to set in, justification in one’s mind. Sometimes they are words from loved ones declaring that this is a “crazy” idea – not acceptable in the world today. They may have you consider your future – job, family, your lifestyle, etc. There may be many who try to dissuade you! They may even give you an “alternate solution” for your current conviction; to challenge its reality and validity (some may mock by saying that the Bible is a book of myths and legends, and that no one should believe it). However, there must be a certain amount of understanding of the life choices one makes – the penalty for sin and the reward for Faith.

    When one feels this “bothering” (conviction of sin), they need to understand why. One should search out this matter, understanding the mystery behind it: the greatest mystery of all time, which many do not understand — because it must be revealed to them. What is this great mystery? “26. Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: 27. To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:26-27). Notice that this great mystery has only been made known to “his saints” (Christians, those who trust in Jesus). It has been hidden from everyone else (the lost, those who are not Christians – those apart from Christ), and they cannot understand this mystery. This lack of understanding is the condition of one who becomes under conviction of sin. It is important that one set out to understand this great mystery. 

    The question is, “How does one understand the great mystery of all times and the things of God?”

    It is important for that one who feels this conviction to go to one that can help him find the answer to this mystery – a Christian; one who has God’s Word, the Bible. What does this person have the ability to do? “25. Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, 26. But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith” (Romans 16:25-26). Only by the gospel message of Jesus Christ being preached (declared from the Bible by individuals) can this great mystery be understood. It is revealed in Jesus and made known to us through the Scriptures. And the desire to discover the answer comes with that conviction. “44. No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. 45. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me” (John 6:44-45). Anyone who is drawn by God wants to know this great mystery. It is then that the search begins. That is when the mystery will be revealed: “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” (I Timothy 3:16)

    Jesus is the answer to the greatest mystery of all times.

    Have you the desire to search out the greatest mystery of all times?

    How to be Saved

  • A Warning

    “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
    1 Corinthians 6:20

    One cannot help but remember a very strange event that happened in the Old Testament. There was a man of God sent to King Jeroboam to warn him not to practice the false religion that he was establishing. King Jeroboam rejected the message and told his men to “lay hold on him.” When King Jeroboam stretched out his hand against the man of God, his hand dried up so that he could not pull it back to himself. He asked the man of God to pray for his hand to be restored. And it was. The king had rejected the message for we read that he continued to practice his false religion (see 1 Kings 14:9).

    After delivering the message and the healing of Jeroboam’s hand, the man of God prepared to return home. When the king invited the man of God to his home to refresh himself and give him a reward, the man of God declared that God had given him specific instructions: “For so was it charged me by the word of the LORD, saying, Eat no bread, nor drink water, nor turn again by the same way that thou camest” (1 Kings 13:9). And this what the man of God chose to do. Obey God.

    While on his way home, “an old prophet in Bethel” heard what happened and invited the man of God to come home and eat with him. The man of God told the old prophet: “For it was said to me by the word of the LORD, Thou shalt eat no bread nor drink water there, nor turn again to go by the way that thou camest” (1 Kings 13:17). Yet the old prophet answered, “… I am a prophet also as thou art; and an angel spake unto me by the word of the LORD, saying, Bring him back with thee into thine house, that he may eat bread and drink water. But he lied unto him” (1 Kings 13:18). Did you notice what happened? This old prophet stated that he had a “word of the Lord” declaring this man of God was to go home with him and eat. We read something that the man of God did not recognize. This old prophet “lied unto him.” The man of God listened to him, went to his house and ate with him. Then the man of God learned that he would die because of his disobedience to God. While on his way home, a lion met the man of God along the way and killed him. Then the lion stood by the dead man of God and his donkey as people walked by and saw.

    Why did this man of God die? He had previously obeyed God by delivering His message to King Jeroboam and even prayed for the healing of his hand. Yet one who claimed to have a “word” from God for him had deceived him. He then disobeyed God’s Word that had been directly given to him.

    Of all of the good the man of God had done, all saw when he had been deceived.

    There are so many things that a Christian should learn from this incident:

    • Satan wants to destroy Christians: see 1 Peter 5:8
    • If Satan cannot destroy, he wants to deceive: see 2 Corinthians 11:3-4
    • We are warned to not compromise, for our words become invalid: see Proverbs 25:26
    • A warning to not even eat with one called a brother if they live a sinful lifestyle: see 1 Corinthians 5:11-13
    • Be careful to whom you listen, watching out for false prophets: see 1 John 4:1
    • Be careful to not listen to “seducing spirits” (means one who is misleading or an imposter): see 1 Timothy 4:1
    • Understand false teachers are here and will try to deceive you: see 2 Peter 2:1-3

    In this recollection of the man of God who succumbed to the old prophet’s deception, recognize something important. This man of God did not compromise his message (for it was from God); however, he did compromise his conduct. The man of God paid for his disobedience with his life. Remember: “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Corinthians 6:20).

    It takes a commitment to live a life pleasing to God. Do not compromise or be deceived by a false teacher. 

    Have you committed to live a life pleasing to God in your word and conduct?

  • God’s Great Gifts

    “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
    Romans 10:9

    Everyone knows John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” This is undoubtedly the greatest gift anyone could receive. God offered His only Son to mankind. However, most people do not understand this gift.

    Because of the sin of man, there is a separation between God and man. God cannot look upon sinful man. Nevertheless, God sent His only Son to take the penalty for that sin, to allow restoration of the separation that man caused. This restoration could only come by the death of Jesus, God’s Son, on the cross. So, Jesus willingly came, lived a perfect life, laid down His life in the death on the cross, and took His life back up again. He is now seated in heaven next to God on His throne.

    In an amazing prayer of Jesus right before He died upon the cross, Jesus declared that He came to glorify God. “These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee” (John 17:1). Glorify means “to reveal the divine character and attributes of God.” Jesus did that. Everything Jesus did revealed God to mankind from the perfect life that He lived to His suffering death for sinners. Why would Jesus be willing to do all of that? Continue reading His prayer in the garden: “2. As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. 3. And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent” (John 17:2-3). Jesus gave His life on the cross to restore that separation caused by man because of sin and to give eternal life to anyone who would receive this gift. There is only one “work” that a person must do to become a Christian. “Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent” (John 6:29). One must believe on Jesus, whom God sent.  

    Jesus prayed for Himself and what He was about to do (His death upon the cross), for His disciples, and finally, He prayed for any who would believe upon Him. However, there is something very interesting found in John chapter seventeen that needs to be understood.

    What could be so important? The gift that God gave to Jesus. God gave to Jesus the people who chose to believe in Jesus and the work He did on the cross. They are Believers (Christians), the ones who accepted the free gift of God. Take note of the following: Believers (Christians) are God’s gift to His Son, Jesus. Read the following excerpts from verses in Jesus’ prayer found in John 17:

    • “…to as many as thou hast given him” (John 17:2).
    • “…the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me …” (John 17:6).
    • “… I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me …” (John 17:9).
    • “…keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one… those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost …” (John 17:11-12).
    • “…I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am …” (John 17:24).

    However, the best one is the following verse: “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word” (John 17:20). Jesus knew that I would one day believe on Him, and He prayed for me in the garden that night. Moreover, He knew that I would be a gift to Him from His Father, God.

    Have you believed in Jesus, becoming a gift from God to Jesus?

    How to be Saved

  • Christmas Time is Here

    “For unto you is born this day in the city of David
    a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord”
    Luke 2:11

    This has been a very crazy year. So much has happened. So much has changed. It is hard to believe that the year 2020 is almost over. And it doesn’t really feel like Christmas.

    Do you remember watching A Charlie Brown Christmas? As it opens, Charlie Brown is declaring to Linus, “I think there must be something wrong with me. Christmas is coming, but I’m not happy. I don’t feel the way I’m supposed to feel. I just don’t understand Christmas, I guess.” He then continues by telling Linus all of the things he likes about the Christmas season, but that he still isn’t happy. “I always end up feeling depressed,” declares Charlie Brown. Linus tells Charlie Brown that only he could turn a wonderful season like Christmas and turn it into a problem.

    If you remember how the show progresses, Charlie Brown is in charge of the Christmas program. He finds that everything he does turns into a disaster. In the midst of it all, he declares that he really doesn’t know what Christmas is all about. He then cries out, “Isn’t there anyone who can tell me what Christmas is all about?!”

    Linus steps up declaring that he knows what Christmas is all about. All should remember what Linus quotes to everyone: “And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:8-14).

    Most people in the world today seem to forget: What Christmas is all about. In the cartoon A Charlie Brown Christmas, the point is made. It is not the giving and receiving of Christmas gifts, the sending of Christmas cards, the commercialism that Christmas has become, and not even the Christmas programs that people try to make happen. The simplicity of the Christmas message is lost on the masses. It is purely what the angels told the shepherds in the field that night so long ago: “For, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. ” The good tiding of great joy was the birth of Jesus, the Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. One must understand that Christmas is about the greatest gift ever given: Jesus. God so loved us that He sent His only Son (see John 3:16). Then one must believe in what Jesus did when He came. He came to die (because of our sin). He came to give us life (because we cannot pay the penalty for our sin). Whoever will believe in Him, though they were dead in their sins and trespasses, yet shall he live. (Remember what Jesus declared to Martha, “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live” John 11:25). Each person must understand that Christmas is remembering the giving of the greatest gift given by God. It is available to anyone. But it must be received.

    Do you know what Christmas is all about?

    Have you received God’s gift (Jesus) into your heart and life?

    How to be Saved

  • Why Not to be Afraid

    “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.”
    Jeremiah 29:13

    There should be a definite contrast in the hearts and lives of Christians compared with those who have not yet believed in Jesus. Christians have a great confidence (a hope) as we live in this lost world. On the other hand, the lost (those apart from Christ) may be fearful as they live in this world. What makes the difference?

    There are Christians (those who have received Jesus into his heart and life and now live for Him), that have no fear of man or what they can do to him. Why is this? A Christian who is living for Jesus has placed his trust in Him. “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28). One who received Jesus into his heart and life, becoming a Christian, had obviously come to the place in his life that he recognized he was a sinner who needed forgiveness that could only be given by Jesus. He feared the wrath of God upon his life (who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell). He understood that by faith, the salvation given by God was forever. Now this Christian spends his life following God’s commands (the Bible), not afraid of man and what they do or say – for he knows their end. “6. Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished. 7. Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings. 8. For the moth shall eat them up like a garment, and the worm shall eat them like wool: but my righteousness shall be for ever, and my salvation from generation to generation” (Isaiah 51:6-8). A Christian is to live a life set apart and different from the world (the lost). This is appropriating the faith he has in Jesus – for he is living his faith out in his life by following God’s Word and His commands allowing his life to be changed to become more like Jesus. (See also Psalm 37.)

    Some people have not made this decision to seek forgiveness for their sin. Because they do not have the surety of eternal life in heaven, they are still afraid. We are to understand the importance of telling others about Jesus. As we relay the Gospel message of Jesus, we should be cognizant as to when one has heard enough about Jesus for they begin to recognize the need of Him in their heart and life. We are then to be available to them as they begin to desire the answers to the questions that are arising in their own hearts and lives. Because, when they are seeking answers, they will find them as we point them to Jesus. They then can understand. “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13).

    Are you afraid?

    Or

    Are you appropriating your faith, able to share Jesus with others?

    How to be Saved

  • Examine Yourself

    “8. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9. Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
    Ephesians 2:8-9

    There was a man who was instructed in the ways of the Lord. He knew the Bible. He was a great speaker when he taught things from the Bible. He instructed many people of the correct ways to live according to the principles laid out in God’s Word. This man spoke boldly in the synagogues. He taught the people about the Lord. These were all great things. However, he only taught what he knew and understood. His name was Apollos. When he arrived in Ephesus, teaching good things from the Bible, a couple recognized something. They understood from his teachings that he knew a great deal about God and His Word, but this man did not know Jesus. Apollos had heard of the repentance preached by John the Baptist, but he had not learned that Jesus was the only way for one to receive actual forgiveness of sin. The couple who heard him preach was Aquila and Priscilla. They had previously worked with Paul and had learned much about Jesus and the Salvation that only Jesus could give. They understood the following verses: “8. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9. Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). It did not matter what one knew or what one did (works), it only mattered that one received the gift of God through faith in Jesus.

    Aquila and Priscilla took Apollos aside and taught him the way of God “more perfectly” (see Acts 18:26). They explained Jesus’ death for man’s sin, His burial, and His resurrection. Apollos then had a choice to make. Would he hear “the rest of the story” that salvation is only through faith? Would he believe in Jesus? The next verse helps us understand that Apollos believed through grace (grace means “the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life.”) The next thing we read is that Apollos immediately began to show others (through God’s Word that he already knew) that Jesus was the Christ (the one promised in the Old Testament Scriptures), who came to set men free from the bondage of sin.

    The world today is saturated with examples found in the Bible of good principles of living. There are many “teachers” sharing ways to live better lives. One cannot depend upon good living to receive eternal salvation. Today we have God’s Word to read for ourselves. Many have friends who can share the message of salvation that is only found by grace through faith in Jesus.

    The most important thing one must do: Examine yourself to see if you know Jesus. Have you ever come to the place where you recognized that you need a Saviour? Or, are you one who has gone to church, lived a pretty good life, and don’t really recognize you have never actually received Jesus into your heart and life by faith? “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” (2 Corinthians 13:5). Reprobates means “unapproved, rejected, by implication, worthless; castaway.” Unless one has believed in Jesus, by faith, receiving Him into one’s heart and life, they are considered a reprobate. That verse (2 Corinthians 13:5) encourages one to “prove” your own self. Prove means “to test; examine; prove.” Only you know your heart – if you have truly believed upon Jesus by faith.

    Have you examined your heart to know if you are in the faith (have Jesus in your heart)?

    How to be Saved

  • A Confession and Prayer

    “Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.”
    Proverbs 30:5

    “Agur wrote to his friends a confession. It soon turned into a prayer, one that recognized God. [Note: In brackets there are some definitions.]

    ‘1. The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, even the prophecy: the man spake unto Ithiel, even unto Ithiel and Ucal, 2. Surely I am more brutish [stupid; foolish] than any man, and have not the understanding of a man. 3. I neither learned wisdom, nor have the knowledge [knowledge gained through the senses] of the holy. 4. Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son’s name, if thou canst tell? 5. Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. 6. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar. 7. Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die: 8. Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: 9. Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.’ (Proverbs 30:1–9)

    “Notice that he first recognized himself as a sinner (verses 2–3). He recognized he needed a Savior (verses 3–4). He acknowledged that he could not understand. Compare this with 1 Corinthians 2:14 “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” So he cried out, asking His name. Where did he go for his answers? (See verse 5 and remember Psalm 12:6.) But be careful to not add to or change what God’s Word says to fit your need (verse 6). He then continued with a prayer for forgiveness, and provision (remember the Lord’s Prayer we learned in Matthew 6:9–13, especially verses 11–13a). He wants God to forgive him from the sin he now recognized. He then wanted God to only give him what he needed, so he would recognize that it came from God. Too much, and he would claim the glory himself, and too little, he would break God’s commands by stealing. His heart sought God earnestly…

    “Be encouraged to see what others learned about the importance of wisdom in our lesson today. Remember that it is a personal choice – to seek wisdom or to become a fool. We must not only read, but memorize this wisdom found in God’s Word. Just as Agur (in Proverbs 30) realized he was a sinful man and recognized he needed God’s forgiveness, each person must come to that point in their own heart and life. A decision must be made. After choosing God’s forgiveness (becoming a Christian), we should do as Agur did. Agur chose “every word of God” for it is pure. What will you choose? We should choose the wisdom found in God’s Word – and live it out in our lives, thereby pleasing God.

    “God’s wisdom is important to those who belong to Him.”  

    (Excerpt from The Biblical Path of Life, Year One Quarter Four, Lesson 9: Proverbs 25-31, Wisdom Revealed.)

    Have you chosen to receive every Word of God as pure?

    How to be Saved

  • Light versus Darkness

    “18. But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. 19. The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.”
    Proverbs 4:18-19

    Everyone understands the difference between light and dark. They are opposites. In one, you can see clearly, in the other you cannot. In the darkness, much can be hidden and unseen. Sometimes we think of the scary things – seen or unseen – in the darkness. See what King Solomon recorded for us to read: “18. But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. 19. The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble” (Proverbs 4:18-19). These are two separate ways. They are in contrast one with the other. The way of light, shines more and more. This helps one understand that the path becomes brighter and brighter, where one is able to see and comprehend what is before them better and better.

    What is this light that shines? See what Jesus said in the book of John. “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12). Jesus is The Light. Those who believe in Him (Christians) are to walk in that light, not in darkness. Understand why Jesus came: “I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness” (John 12:46). There is a choice: light or darkness. For those who do not want to walk in darkness, they should choose Jesus, the Light of the world.

    So why doesn’t everyone choose light, believing in Jesus? When people reject God and His commandments, the land fills with “darkness.”  See what Jesus said, “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil” (John 3:19). There are those who prefer the deeds one finds in the darkness – evil deeds. Those evil deeds are sin that separates people from God. Read why Jesus told Paul to go preach the Gospel message: “To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me” (Acts 26:18). One can understand that those who choose evil deeds, walking in darkness, are under the power of Satan.

    Remember that Jesus came to set people free from that darkness to walk as His dear children in Him (the Light).What can we learn about those who choose to hear the Gospel message of Jesus, turning from those evil deeds done in darkness (sin)? “For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light” (Ephesians 5:8). Those who choose Him have the light of Jesus in their hearts and lives. Christians are taught to walk as children of light for a Christian cannot walk in “darkness” (sin).  “If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth” (1 John 1:6).

    As we continue to read, we find more instruction that Christians are to heed. “11. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. 12. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret” (Ephesians 5:11-12). Do not be one who has the Light of Jesus in your heart and mind, yet continues to walk with those who chose to remain in darkness. Instead, we are to tell them about Jesus and encourage them to choose the Light of life. As Christians (God’s people), we are to be different – not like the “world” around us “14. Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. 15. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16. Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:14-17). Wake up! For Jesus will give you light (illuminating your path – remember Psalm 119:105: “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path”), then walk cautiously as wise, and understand what the Lord has planned for you.

    Do you walk in darkness, not knowing at what you stumble?

    Or, have you chosen the path of the just that is as the shining light?

    How to be Saved

  • Receive the Instruction of Wisdom

    “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
    Proverbs 1:7

    Wisdom is the major theme of the book of Proverbs and King Solomon wrote much of it. If you remember, shortly after Solomon became king, God came to him in a dream. “In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee” (I Kings 3:5). Solomon understood the great things God had done for his father, King David, because he had followed after God. See what King Solomon asked of God: “Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?” (1 Kings 3:9). This pleased God. Because King Solomon asked for such a good thing (discernment that comes from wisdom), God gave King Solomon great wisdom. He also blessed King Solomon with great wealth and fame.

    The book of Proverbs deals with much of this great wisdom from God. We understand this from the first verses of the book of Proverbs: “1. The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel; 2. To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; 3. To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity” (Proverbs 1:1-3). Read how a wise man is described. “A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels” (Proverbs 1:5).

    The key verse to understanding the book of Proverbs is Proverbs 1:7 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Solomon wrote much of this book with his only son on his heart and mind. He wanted his son, Rehoboam, to understand the importance of wisdom, and the first thing he had to know and understand was the fear of the Lord. Fear is not what most people think it is. Fear is not necessarily being afraid of the Lord, but it is acknowledging just who He is and who we are in comparison to Him (a reverence of God). Once one has the correct fear of God (understanding who he is), then one can begin to obtain wisdom that leads to understanding what He expects of His people

    Wisdom is more than having knowledge. Wisdom is the discernment in understanding how to use that knowledge correctly; choosing right over wrong; discern between what is true and false; being discreet in the application of knowledge. King Solomon wanted his son to acquire wisdom to help him understand how to make right decisions in his activities of daily life. Solomon did not want his son to be a fool and despise wisdom and instruction. However, in order for Rehobom to acquire the right wisdom, King Solomon said he had to hear his instruction from God’s Word. (This is understood even better as the book of Proverbs is read.) Solomon wanted his son to understand that it all began with a right relationship with God. If one doesn’t have that, one cannot obtain wisdom from God. One is to understand (from God’s point of view found in His Word) what the right thing to do in a situation is. Christians who obtain the wisdom found in God’s Word will have the ability to face life understanding what God wants them to do in order to live a life pleasing to Him.  

    Have you chosen to be a fool, despising God’s wisdom and instruction?

    Or have you chosen the wisdom of God?

  • Pieces of a Puzzle

    “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets”
    Hebrews 1:1

    There were men, called prophets, whom God called for a special purpose. Through these men, he revealed Himself to His people through the ages in different ways at different times. “God, who at sundry times” [refers to the incremental and progressive manner in which God disclosed Himself, up until the appearance of the Son. It was fragmentary, piece by piece, like pieces of a puzzle] “and in divers manners” [this word is used to qualify the manner in which divine revelation during the Old Testament time frame was given. It shows the diverse ways through which God disclosed His Word, such as dreams, visions, and angelic visitation] “spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets.” God called the prophets for a special purpose. One of the most famous disobeyed God. Remember Jonah?

    There are twelve Minor Prophets. They can be divided into two groups. The first nine were sent to the people before the people were expelled from the land of Israel. Interestingly, we know very little about these prophets. Some were sent to Judah (the Southern Kingdom), some to Israel (the Northern Kingdom), and some were sent to Gentile nations. They were just ordinary men that God chose to use. See a little bit about the first nine minor prophets as they were sent to God’s people before they were carried captive.

    • Joel was a prophet to Judah who told of a plague of locusts.
    • Micah is known as a prophet to both Israel and Judah calling for the people to “hear.”   
    • Habakkuk is remembered as the prophet who asked God why – and God answered him! He learned that he must have faith in God. “… but the just shall live by his faith” (Habakkuk 2:4b).
    • Zephaniah wrote of God’s judgment and mercy. His preaching had great influence upon King Josiah, who “… did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the ways of David his father, and declined neither to the right hand, nor to the left” (2 Chronicles 34:2).
    • Hosea reveled the love of God, in spite of spiritual adultery. He called for the people to “Come, and let us return unto the LORD …” (Hosea 6:1b).
    • Amos is known as a prophet from the country. He asked, “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” (Amos 3:3).
    • Obadiah was written as a warning to those who persecute Israelites. He wrote, “The pride of thine heart had deceived thee …” (Obadiah 1:3a).
    • Jonah is known as an unwilling or reluctant prophet. He will be forever known as the prophet who ran from God and was swallowed by a great fish (a whale).
    • Nahum is known as one who prophesied the destruction of Nineveh. He wrote, “The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked …” (Nahum 1:3a).

    The prophets came from all walks of life. God used them where they were or sent them where He needed them. Each of these prophets recognized the sovereignty of God in all areas of life. God had an extra-special job for the prophets. He has an extra-special job for his people today as well – if we will only obey! Make your time on earth count for God; live for Him daily. Allow God to use you. Respond when God calls. It may be a minor thing in your eyes that God asks of you, but very important to the kingdom of God.

    Have you allowed God to use you lately?

    From The Biblical Path of Life Year One Quarter One Lesson 10